During the March 22 meeting, Auburn City Council approved several matters and heard a presentation from a business which would be opening a satellite store location here.
Doug Grimm with Grimm’s Gardens

was accompanied by several other business representatives and told about his decision to erect a small, temporary greenhouse-type building near the Farm Bureau Insurance office at 1919 J Street. Grimm said the business has received requests during the time since Earl May closed its doors here to open a business here. “We looked at several communities and locations and decided to locate here would be in our best interests. Site selection is a big key in a business like this,” he explained. Also present was John Jenkins, who will serve as the Grimm’s Auburn store manager.
Grimm’s Gardens is a family owned and operated greenhouse facility and full service landscape contractor, specializing in water features, pavers  and retaining walls, serving Northeast Kansas, Southeast Nebraska and Northwest Missouri. Grimm’s Gardens & Nursery is located at 2991 Goldfinch Road near Hiawatha, Kansas.
The business’ Web site describes its four large greenhouses loaded with summer annuals, perennials, fall mums, hanging geranium baskets and much more. There is also an expansive outdoor shopping area which has over 120 varieties of trees, numerous varieties of shrubs and a large display of water garden plants to browse.
Doug and Jeryl Grimm have been farming in northeast Kansas for 30 years. They started the greenhouse operation in 1993 with hydroponic tomatoes, blueberries, and a few flowers. Their family includes five sons and two daughters. Doug is a certified arborist and spends his time working with the fruit trees, blueberries, arboretum, greenhouses, nursery stock, and giving presentations to groups who have an interest. He also has a love for trees. Jeryl helps place the orders for the new plants and is always doing whatever job she sees that needs done.
Kurt is involved primarily with the landscaping and water features but also manages the day to day work at Grimm’s Gardens. He and his wife, Hannah, have two daughters, Addison and Marissa, and two sons, Tucker and Tyler. Hannah helps out with the newsletters, invoicing, and pot orders.
Mayor Bob Engles told the business representatives that their choosing to locate here will fill a void created by Earl May’s departure.
Other Council Business
Also at last week’s meeting, four city employees/officials were recognized for their years of service. Margie Zimmerman, a librarian, received a plaque for 20 years service. Presented certificates of appreciation were Auburn Police Chief Dan White for 15 years, Children’s Librarian Heather Koeneke and City Treasurer Glen Krueger, both for 10 years. Krueger served two terms on the Auburn City Council before being appointed to his current position.
The council approved a manager application for Patrick Engles in connection with Farmers Union Co-op Supply’s liquor license application.
The council adopted a resolution authorizing a lease to buy agreement for a 2009 Hyundai Wheel Loader at a cost of $87,425 to be paid over three years. The initial $25,000 payment is to be followed by three payments of $22,590. It was mentioned that being able to spread the payments over several years is advantageous to the city’s budget.
A disaster declaration was approved with the Federal Emergency Management Agency for severe winter storms from December 22, 2009, through January 8, 2010 and authorizing the city’s representatives to execute the necessary documents for public assistance.
The council approved contracts with Southeast Nebraska Development District for the latter to provide housing rehabilitation management servicesand lead paint hazards - screen and or clearance examination services.
It accepted a recommendation from the City of Auburn’s CDBG Re-use Committee about an offer from former business people to settle an earlier loan debt by making a payment of about $11,900 — a third of the original loan amount — as settlement of the original loan.
The council accepted the recommendation from the Board of Public Works to contract with JEO Consulting Group of Nebraska City in the amount of $11,900 for engineering services regarding the installation of an eight-inch diameter water main adjacent to Central Avenue from “F” Street east approximately 500 feet for the new Orscheln store project. JEO will provide engineering, surveying, and drafting services; plans and specifications; and supervise bidding and negotiation assistance and construction phase services for the work.   
The council approved Mayor Engles’ appointments of Shaun Cushman and Brett Vinson to the Auburn Volunteer Fire Department.
The next regular meeting will be Monday, April 12.